4 Tips for Traveling Solo As a Man

Four Tips for Traveling Alone

Whatever your age, nationality or gender, traveling solo is one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll ever have. Whether you take off for months at a time or prefer to indulge in the odd solo vacation, seeing the world alone boasts many benefits for your mind, soul and (surprisingly) your social life.

According to Solo Travel statistics, there are a higher majority of females who travel solo. This explains why there is so much information online geared toward women – information that doesn’t address that men travel alone, too. With this in mind, here are four tips to help you navigate your lone travels as a man while staying safe and having fun.

Be Friendly

You might think you’re the most approachable man in the world, but other cultures may perceive you differently. When you interact with locals, make sure you smile, remove your sunglasses so people can see your eyes, and you keep your language friendly and respectful. If you’re in doubt about the customs and it’s your first time in a new country, be sure to do some research before you go.

For instance, you may need to know that it’s considered taboo to write in red ink in South Korea to avoid offending a lot of people. Traveling is a great way to make friends and meet new people, but you’ll want to avoid confrontation in hostile countries wherever possible.

Traveling Solo in Sydney. Just one of the many solo travels I’ve done.

Don’t Be Afraid to Try New Things

Just because you’re traveling alone doesn’t mean you should shy away from new experiences. In fact, you should be more inclined to try new things because you’re on your own. You don’t have anyone else to consider, you can live according to your own schedule, and no one will know if you make a fool of yourself! Now’s the time to try everything you’ve always wanted to but have never had the courage, whether that means eating sushi for the first time, breaking out of an RVA Escape Room or swimming with sharks.

Stay Sensible

Yes, you should take risks and try new things while you’re traveling, but don’t push it. Just because you’ve never done a deep-sea dive before, doesn’t mean you should go for it with no prior training. Similarly, know that you’re not indestructible just because you’re a man. Men and women can both fall prey to muggers and pickpockets, so keep your wits about you and make sensible choices, even if it means going easy on the alcohol.

Don’t Flash Your Gadgets

As tempting as it is to photograph everything with your smartphone or wear your fancy new watch at all times, expensive kit will attract attention. In certain towns and cities, that attention could lead to theft, and the last thing you want is for your precious tech to be stolen while you’re traveling. These items will only weigh you down, and if you’re always taking photos of everything you see, you’re not taking in the experience. For these reasons, it’s best to keep gadgets in your hotel room or tucked away in your bag whenever possible.

By the end of the day, you’ll find yourself not solo anymore as you’ll be meeting loads of ‘new’ friends along the way.